The Indianapolis Colts were one of the biggest surprises of the 2012 season as they bounced back from a disappointing 2-14 finish in 2011 to an 11-5 record this year–which included a playoff berth as well. While Andrew Luck played a big role with helping the Colts with their success from this past season, there’s one player that could play an even bigger role heading into 2013–running back Vick Ballard.

Just like Luck, Ballard was a rookie in 2012 who was expected to go through the normal growing pains in his first league, but that was far from the case as he finished the year with 814 rushing yards and two touchdowns–most of which came over the final five games of the regular season. Ballard has proved to be a workhorse during his first year with Indianapolis, but whether or not he’ll be the team’s top running back in 2013 is still up in the air.

There’s no question the Colts should contain one of the league’s top duos at running back, but the No. 1 spot seems to be Donald Brown‘s spot to lose heading into next year–even if Ballard finished this past season as the team’s leading rusher. Brown was hobbled by injuries during the 2012 season and only appeared in 10 games, but the Colts have been waiting for him to breakout for a few years now and may want to give him one final shot for the 2013 season.

However, depending on how things go during training camp and the off-season, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Ballard eventually took over the starting role at running back.

There is a lot of talent to be found on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, but sifting through the hundreds of prospects to find the right fit is challenging. Here are five sleepers the Saints should target. Read More